solvent

[ sol-vuhnt ]

adjective

1. able to pay all just debts.
2. having the power of dissolving; causing solution.

noun

1. a substance that dissolves another to form a solution:

   Water is a solvent for sugar.

2. something that solves or explains.

solvent

/ ˈsɒlvənt /

adjective

1. capable of meeting financial obligations
2. (of a substance, esp a liquid) capable of dissolving another substance

noun

1. a liquid capable of dissolving another substance

   water is a solvent for salt

2. the component of a solution that does not change its state in forming the solution or the component that is present in excess Compare solute
3. something that solves

solvent

/ sŏl′vənt /

1. A substance that can dissolve another substance, or in which another substance is dissolved, forming a solution. Water is the most common solvent.

Derived Forms

• ˈsolvently, adverb

Other Words From

• solvent·less adjective
• solvent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of solvent¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin solvent-, stem of solvēns “loosening,” present participle of solvere “to loosen, release”; solve

Word History and Origins

Origin of solvent¹

C17: from Latin solvēns releasing, from solvere to free, solve

Example Sentences

The history of WD-40The story of WD-40 begins in 1953, when the fledgling Rocket Chemical Company—all three employees—set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for the aerospace industry.

From Popular-Science

The process uses a series of liquid solvents to dissolve individual plastic components off a product.

From Science News

This time, banks have been part of the solution—the public face of Paycheck Protection Program loans and other measures that have helped millions of Americans stay solvent.

From Fortune

The true bike nerds among us who won’t settle for less than microscopically clean chains use ultrasonic cleaners, which use heat, solvent, and vibration to clean metal parts.

From Outside Online

First, the dry electrode could slash production costs by eliminating the time- and space-intensive drying stage required with solvent-based electrode application methods.

From Fortune

A marriage ends and one party pays the less financially solvent party some sort of means of support.

From The Daily Beast

Republic wanted to terminate its obligations and put workers in a 401(k) (or at least a more solvent Teamster pension plan).

From The Daily Beast

Rob Hach says "Without the tax credit, we're going to have to cut half of our employees to stay solvent."

From The Daily Beast

But what Shteyngart describes is the sort of dysfunction that occasionally plagues even the best and most solvent carrier.

From The Daily Beast

The existence of social security substantially undercuts the demographic increase needed to make the security system solvent.

From The Daily Beast

At the same time, the change is also in the direction of an expansion of the solvent in the solution.

From Project Gutenberg

From Walden's work it appears that the dielectric constant finally determines the quantitative ionizing effect of a solvent.

From Project Gutenberg

It is thus evident, that the solvent action of ammonium hydroxide is not due to its basic functions.

From Project Gutenberg

The shop smelled of paint, solvent and plastic, like most any other.

From Project Gutenberg

"Miss Dormer's herself an English picture," their visitor pronounced in the tone of a man whose urbanity was a general solvent.

From Project Gutenberg